cetane

[ see-teyn ]

noun

1. a colorless, liquid hydrocarbon of the alkane series, C 16 H 34 , used as a solvent and in cetane number determinations.

cetane

/ ˈsiːteɪn /

noun

1. a colourless insoluble liquid alkane hydrocarbon used in the determination of the cetane number of diesel fuel. Formula: C 16 H 34 Also calledhexadecane

cetane

/ sē′tān′ /

1. A colorless liquid hydrocarbon derived from petroleum. It is used as a solvent and a component of diesel fuels. Chemical formula: C 16 H 34.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cetane¹

First recorded in 1930–35; cet- ( def ) + -ane

Word History and Origins

Origin of cetane¹

C19: from Latin cētus whale + -ane , so called because related compounds are found in sperm whale oil